MERSEA is a proposed massive floating structure that aims to help restore depleted ocean ecosystems through marine aquaculture. It would function as a self-governing entity and mobile ecosystem restoration platform. The presentation outlines the serious declines in fish populations and biodiversity in oceans due to overfishing. MERSEA would use an incremental strategy of releasing species back into the ocean to rebuild populations over time. Details are provided on how MERSEA would be constructed and operate, housing human inhabitants and conducting aquaculture activities. While an ambitious engineering challenge, the presentation argues MERSEA could help address ocean depletion issues and be economically viable.

1. Presented By Chris Morton Professional Inventor September 2011 Revision 1 A presentation about a mega structure aquaculture vessel for Marine Ecosystem Restoration at Sea

2. What is MERSEA? MERSEA is a massive vessel for a mobile marine aquaculture The primary objective of MERSEA is to help re-establish large populations of marine organisms MERSEA uses an incremental and phased marine aquaculture strategy to build up exhausted marine resources MERSEA is a self governing entity MERSEA has potential to be economically viable MERSEA is at this stage a hypothetical structure

3. The State of The Oceans Over the last 30 years the number of fish in the ocean has decreased by over 90%, based on a survey done in 2005, mainly due to overfishing The biodiversity (number of different species) has decreased by more than 50% in the open seas There does not seem to be any noticeable recovery Nature will eventually restore itself, however it may take thousands of years, and only if left alone by humans (very unlikely) Other threats such as pollution and global climate change do not paint a pretty picture for the future of our oceans

4. Results of a study entitled DEPLETED MARINE RESOURCES: AN APPROACH TO QUANTIFICATION BASED ON THE FAO CAPTURE DATABASE by Luca Garibaldi and John F. Caddy indicating the decline of catches from the year 1970 to 2002

5. Results from the study quoted in the last diagram, indicating a decrease in biodiversity of a particular species list

6. Why is MERSEA important? MERSEA is important since it will help recreate a renewable food supply from the oceans MERSEA will help restore populations of endangered species, including marine bird, reptile and mammalian species MERSEA will have a significant impact on reducing oceanic deposits of waste plastic, from which MERSEA will be partly built from on the assembly platform named GPEM MERSEA will provide many jobs people in the struggling fisheries industry MERSEA will help increase environmental awareness regarding responsible commercial fishing MERSEA will allow large catches to be sustainably fished MERSEA might effect help reverse some of the effects of global climate change

7. Incremental Phased Marine Ecosystem Restoration An Incremental and Phased Marine Ecosystem Restoration project implies the following: Assess the current state of a specific part of the ocean to determine the baseline maximum load that ocean can sustain in a food web, including quantitative and qualitative species list Use the Baseline data in conjunction with the Marine Ecosystem Survey Tool software (MEST* Software System) to algorithmically extrapolate the data to determine the next ‘layer’ that the existing baseline can support sustainably. Recursively process the results against a projected timeline of 10 years, using species lists endemic to the area for each level of the food web to establish the theoretical feasibility of using different species lists from the start of a MERSEA operation according to the initial baseline. The result of this MEST analysis report will be an ideal starting point on which to start aquaculture activities. Use the results from MEST to begin aquaculture activities on a MERSEA vessel, incrementally releasing appropriate species into the open ocean, with the intention of slowly establishing a new baseline from which the next phase of marine ecosystem restoration can be implemented. The recursive application of an incremental marine ecosystem restoration approach will result in an ecosystem that can support a large species diversity and population of various marine organisms *The MEST Software System is currently part of my PhD study proposal concerning MERSEA

9. A description of a MERSEA Vessel A MERSEA Vessel consists of a number of different parts, each with a specific purpose, collectively for the purpose of the facilitation of deep ocean marine ecosystem restoration A MERSEA Vessel will be largely self sufficientin terms of energy, food and freshwater A MERSEA Vessel is a very ambitious engineering project, consisting of several million distinct components The construction and implementation of a MERSEA Vessel is hypothetically possible The first MERSEA Vessel will be named Poseidon and be assembled on Gargantuan, the first GPEM

10. This image shows the exploded structure of a MERSEA vessel, including: A. Central Tower B. Climate Control Containment C. Life Dome D. Greenlayer E. Floatation Raft F. Hull G. Lower Hull Artwork For Sale Since there are not plenty of fish in the ocean, we need

11. Description of the Central Tower Accommodates the freshwater storage and processing from condensation and desalination Accommodates the centralized light distribution collector, where light is focused onto from mirrors on component surface of the climate control containment. Accommodates communication and control facilities Accommodates a lightning conductor to prevent damage to the rest of the vessel. Special technology enables the harnessing of thermal energy directly into electricity, based on work from the Thermo Electric Converter Accommodates an air filtration mechanism to moderate salinity and humidity of sea air, also serves to prevent airborne biological and particulate matter contaminations within the life dome

12. Description of the Climate Control Containment Allows for minor regulation of the ambient temperature, salinity and humidity of sea air Several different biomes are accommodated below the installation. These biomes include coastal tolerant food crops to feed the population of MERSEA and provide the necessary food provisions for some of the aquaculture activities. Each biome will have slightly different conditions in order to sustain a good biodiversity of fauna and flora aboard MERSEA

13. Description of the Life Dome The accommodation area for the majority of the human population of MERSEA. The Life Dome is climatically controlled to achieve the most comfortable environment for humans, namely a temperate like climate Several floors of open plan living units will occupy the higher levels of the Life Dome. The units consist of sound proof walls and floors. Each unit accommodates a family of 4, each designed with privacy in mind, including a small garden. Animals such as birds, dogs, cats and freshwater fish will allow humans to continue a relationship with domesticated animals

15. Description of the Greenlayer Consists of many different biomes in order to facilitate the cultivation of coastal food crops and accommodate various species of birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and freshwater fish. Accommodates sporting facilities such as an 18 hole golf course, swimming pools and athletics facilities. Accommodates the harvesting and processing of crops grown in the Greenlayer Accommodates emergency life vessels in case of the MERSEA vessel sinking Transport in the Greenlayer is accommodated by a self propelled (human) rail system and bicycle tracks Mirrors on the ceiling of the Greenlayer (Climate Control Containment) reflect light and communication signals to the central tower A small landing strip and helicopter pad are accommodated on the ceiling of the Greenlayer

16. Description of the Floatation Raft Provides the necessary buoyancy for MERSEA to float, and in the event of a sinking vessel, consists in part, of a special polymer (in hermetically sealed casings) that reacts with sea water if the seal is broken to form a strong and fibrous foam to provide additional buoyancy. The floatation raft accommodates ‘Sea City’ which is the central point of the activities on MERSEA, including a hospital, an educational institute and a theater, amongst other necessary facilities Large areas of Sea City are storage areas for the products of TEC Solar installations, where gas and liquid reservoirs hold un-reacted products of the Thermo Electric Converter technology, that can be likened to energy storage from within a conventional lead acid battery. The floatation raft is not part of the hull or lower hull, in the unfortunate event of a sinking vessel, the Hull and Lower Hull are released to sink, allowing the majority of the population of MERSEA to survive for a few months on the Floatation Raft The Floatation raft is approximately 5 km in diameter

17. Sold

18. Description of the Hull Pressurized typical to submarines, and is attached to the Floatation Raft, but is not part of the Floatation Raft. Accommodates the majority of the aquaculture facilities, including tanks, filtration, feeding hoppers, spawning tanks and areas in the vessel where certain work relevant to aquaculture takes place. The hull houses amongst other things a super computer and a molding workshop to replace worn/broken pieces of MERSEA. The hull is made primarily from a polycarbonate composite material (made from recycled plastic, including a steel cable weave, and solid steel panels) that is rigid and completely corrosion resistant. The hull provides the surface on which marine organisms can live and propagate. Accommodates submarine bays for short distance submarine vessels Accommodates utilities access between the supermarine and submarine components, including waste, food, electricity, sea water, hydrocarbons, lifts, stairwells and slides. Contains submarine life vessels incase of a sinking vessel. Accommodates living quarters for the population of MERSEA currently engaged in aquaculture projects.

19. Description of the Lower Hull Houses the Main Engine Room, Methane Digester, Hydrocarbon Fuel Synthesizer, Submarine Bays, Prisons and Morgue. The lower hull provides essential buoyancy and stability for the massive structure, and houses the structural core upon which the rest of MERSEA is built. Contains main catchment area for oceanic thermal convention generators, and Osmotic Power generators using the products of the desalination works in the supermarine components Accommodates submarine life vessels, accessible to prisoners upon a sinking vessel Deep Sea Artificial Reef infrastructure allows larger deep sea animals to live and propagate Contains storage facilities for fuel and salt Contains sand ballast storage facilities and anchors

21. Is MERSEA possible? Will MERSEA Float? Yes, based on information concerning the materials it is made from, the design, and buoyancy however the design will need to be refined somewhat to ensure stability and buoyancy. Will MERSEA be the biggest engineering feat ever attempted on Earth? No. The platform on which MERSEA is assembled will be bigger, namely GPEM. The engineering feasibility of MERSEA is part of my studies in my PhD proposal, where upon issues including strength of materials, design, cost estimates and feasibility studies will be addressed Hypothetically the construction of MERSEA is possible, however tremendously expensive, however indications that it will be cost effective are optimistic since it will be built in part from recycled plastic from oceanic plastic deposits (pollution). The feasibility and effectiveness of such a massive vessel in terms of restoration of a marine ecosystem restoration are determinant on the research of the PhD studies.

22. Isn’t it a bit far fetched that MERSEA is its own country? No, but admittedly it sounds absurd. Since MERSEA will occupy international waters, and will be self governing it seems logical that each instance of a MERSEA vessel can be classed as a independent nation The idea that a MERSEA Vessel would be subject to the laws of a country based on actual land is not practical, since the oceanic environment is a very different situation, therefore a separate constitution and set of laws may seem like a plausible solution to maintain law and order within a MERSEA Vessel

24. Life Aboard MERSEA MERSEA is designed for a long term settlement of sea going people, and the life upon such a vessel is not based around a political ideal, however a vessel will be an autocratic democracy with a maximum population of 2500, in the proposed design. The primary objective of MERSEA is to help re-establish large population of marine organisms, it is this upon which the life on a MERSEA will be modelled. Such things such as compulsory national service in the Aquaculture Facilities will be enforced upon capable people. Certain birth control restrictions will be implemented to prevent the population of humans exceeding a MERSEA Vessels maximum capacity. Although never possible in the human condition, the laws of MERSEA will try to accommodate a peaceful co-existence between all inhabitants On going life long education of all will be compulsory, as will be a vegetarian diet at least 5 days a week

26. The Future of the Oceans Given the current state of the oceans, the prognosis for humankind to continue enjoying the products of the sea does not look good. Human consequences such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch will not leave a good impression to our successors on the planet. Such atrocities are persistent, meaning that if left unattended to, will last for many hundreds of thousands of years. We can do something about it, and supporting a project like MERSEA could help restore a harmony with our planet. We are all in the same boat, as it were, that is Mothership Earth. Should MERSEA turn out to be viable, then our successors can look forward to plenty fish in the sea. Hypothetically speaking, upon successful implementation of a MERSEA Vessel, it may be possible to fix the problems we have created, including the seemingly impossible tasks of cleaning up oceanic plastic pollution and also repopulating the ocean.

27. How to Get Involved Spread the news, visit > http://makenet.co.za/concepts/MERSEA Contribute your research > chrism@makenet.co.za Invest in MakeNET > http://makenet.co.za/investors/ Purchase some artwork to raise funds for research. Only 1 signed copy of each artwork will ever be printed, issued with certificate of authenticity. Printed with UV Resistant Ink on Vinyl. Bids starting at R10000 each. 1.5m height, aluminium or glass frame. Perfect for home, gallery or business

28. There are not plenty of fish in the ocean, anymore

29. Credits and References ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/008/j3957e/j3957e00.pdf http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/003/W3244E/w3244e07.htm http://reliefweb.int/node/174408 http://www.grid.unep.ch/product/publication/download/ew_overfishing.en.pdf http://www.marinebio.net/marinescience/06future/olres.htm http://www.nndb.com/people/250/000085992/ http://www.wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=0173-9565&site=1 http://marinebio.org/oceans/marine-ecology.asp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_biology http://www.eoearth.org/article/Marine_biodiversity http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/marine-species-diversity As special thanks to Dr O.O Sulaiman (PhD, CEng, CMarEng Lecturer of Maritime Technology and Research Fellow at UMT)